Current News

VermontBiz Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak today announced Theresa Vezina as the City’s Special Assistant on Overdose Prevention Center Implementation. This part-time position was created in September 2024, funded by opioid settlement monies received by the City. In this role, Vezina will lead the City’s efforts to facilitate the creation of the overdose prevention center pilot authorized and funded through Act 178.

Vermont Business Magazine Junapr, a leading Vermont-based PR and communications firm, has been named to PR NEWS' Agency Elite 120 list for 2025, marking its fourth consecutive year receiving this prestigious industry recognition. The annual list celebrates the nation's most innovative and results-driven PR firms, with honorees selected for their exceptional client work, creative campaigns, and demonstrated industry leadership. The PR NEWS Agency Elite 120 recognizes the most innovative PR and communications firms in the United States. Agencies are selected based on their client work, industry leadership, and demonstrated excellence in communications strategy. This prestigious recognition highlights firms that have shown exceptional creativity, results-driven campaigns, and outstanding client service throughout the year.

Vermont Business Magazine The 14th Annual Manchester Holiday Lighted Tractor Parade took place on Saturday, December 7th, transforming Main and Bonnet Streets into a glowing winter wonderland. This festive event brought holiday cheer to the heart of downtown Manchester, as tractors and floats, beautifully adorned with twinkling lights and decorations, cruised through the streets. The parade, featuring 32 stunning floats and displays, captivated a joyful crowd of spectators who lined the streets to enjoy the yuletide show. A special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus brought extra joy to the event, delighting both children and adults alike.  The weather could not have been more perfect, with a light snow shower creating a truly magical touch to the evening.

Vermont Business Magazine Operation Santa’s Convoy will travel on both a northern and central route that travels from St. Albans to Colchester and Waterbury to Berlin, respectively, on Thursday, December 19, from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. An hour before departure, vehicles will assemble into their convoys at their starting locations. During this time the public is welcome to visit and take pictures as the convoys prepare. The northern route will utilize the Walmart parking lot in St. Albans as its starting location at 700 Tuckers Way, St. Albans, VT 05478. The route will follow Route 7 south before using the 289 connector to travel down Route 15 through Five Corners and towards the Colchester Armory. 

The Associated General Contractors of Vermont (AGC/VT), one of Vermont's oldest and most respected associations, celebrated its 90th anniversary at the 2024 Annual Meeting and Best Builder Awards Banquet, held on December 3-4, 2024. This milestone event highlighted the association's enduring commitment to Vermont's construction industry. The two-day event commenced with a virtual session on December 3, featuring an opening keynote by Senator Peter Welch. The agenda included discussions on government relations, crisis communications, economic forecasts, and safety and mental health investments. 

by Asher Crispe We love to travel the path of least resistance, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that our technologically administered society has embraced the trifecta of quick, simple, and easy. With innovation having brought the whole world on demand and within our fingertips, our investments in the ubiquity of the emphatic Now has triumphed over delayed gratification. Aiming to eliminate all friction, pain, and aggravation, they’ve become the enemy we anesthetize against. Lest we prematurely and euphorically celebrate our triumphs, we might pause and inquire as to the cost? What might be the unintended consequences to our personal well-being and performance as we continue along this trajectory?

Vermont Business Magazine The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont announced that Leticia Russi-Shareno, 60, of Kenmore, New York, pleaded guilty today in United States District Court in Burlington to a charge of wire fraud. Chief U.S. District Judge Christina Reiss released Russi-Shareno on conditions pending sentencing, which is scheduled for May 22. On November 20, 2024, the United States Attorney filed a one-count information charging Russi-Shareno with wire fraud. Russi-Shareno pleaded guilty to the information in court today. Russi-Shareno faces up to 20 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. Her actual sentence, however, would be determined by the District Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors.

Vermont Business Magazine First Children’s Finance VT has announced the recipients of the Fall 2024 Make Way for Kids Grants. These grants, totaling $641,107 to 29 projects in 13 counties, are designed to help Vermont’s early childhood educators meet their local demand for high-quality, affordable child care. These projects are projected to create or maintain 117 infant slots, 148 toddler slots, and 118 preschool slots, supporting families across the state. The new grantees include Little Wildflowers Child Care, a new program in Enosburg Falls owned by Kelsey Caforia; and The Growing Tree, a future full-day, year-round program in Addison led by Michelle Bishop. Both programs are committed to the mission of these grants: Creating innovative child care solutions that meet the needs of their communities.

Vermont Business Magazine Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak today announced Christian Berry, M.Ed. as the Interim Director of the Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (REIB). Berry began the interim leadership role just before the Thanksgiving holiday. Berry began working as the Communications and Community Engagement Manager for REIB in October 2023. Prior to joining the City of Burlington, Berry served as the Public Health Workforce Director for the Vermont Department of Health.  

Vermont Business Magazine Love, Tito’s, the philanthropic heart of Tito’s Handmade Vodka, teamed up with Vermont Foodbank, the state’s largest hunger-relief organization and only food bank, providing nourishing food through a network of more than 350 community, network, and program partners. Tito’s joined a recent fresh produce distribution event in the Rutland, Vermont area. The event created a dignified, welcoming, and comfortable atmosphere where free food was distributed to community members in an environment where there are no eligibility requirements, no questions asked. Ahead of the holidays, the December 6 event enabled the Vermont Foodbank and their volunteers to distribute some of the more than 4 million pounds of fresh food that will be shared with neighbors this year. 

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported last week that the number of COVID-19 cases rose slightly while hospitalizations also edged up but remained low. There was only one fatality last week. Hospitalizations and general "syndromic" cases were about 5 cases statewide for the week. The number of reported COVID cases rose to 67 from 51 last week. Cases had been falling in April and May and were as low as 31 at the beginning of May, before rising at the end of summer through the early part of the fall. The pandemic death total stands at 1,230 as of November 30, 2024 (the most recent data available). Total reported deaths last January were 29. There were 16 fatalities in February, 12 in March, 3 in April, 6 in May, 2 in June, 4 in July, and 30 in August, which is the highest monthly total since November 2022. There were 20 COVID-related deaths in September and 15 in October and 4 so far in November.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Labor Council AFL-CIO is pleased to announce that JP Isabelle has been selected as the organization’s new Executive Director.  Isabelle started on Monday, December 9.  A seasoned and dedicated union activist, Isabelle brings experience from his time as an employee representative on the State Employees Retirement Board and the State Employees Bargaining Team.